Things to Consider Before Getting a Pet Bird

Estimates suggest that over 5 million U.S. households have pet birds. Birds come in a variety of shapes, colors, and personalities. It’s crucial to select a bird that suits your personality and lifestyle. Some birds, especially larger parrots, require significant attention and care, while even some smaller birds need a lot of love and handling to be happy and friendly.

Before choosing a bird species, consider factors such as the bird’s lifespan, the size of the cage requires, its dietary needs, noise level, and the time and attention the species needs.

Birds That Require More Work

Many people are drawn to parrots such as Amazons, African greys, cockatoos, and macaws because they are beautiful and trainable. Greys and Amazons are especially valued for their talking abilities. However, these trainable birds are also the most challenging and demanding to keep as pets. If you’re interested in a parrot, it’s important to consider your reasons for getting a pet bird and your commitment to the extensive care required for these demanding birds, which can live up to 60 years.

Good Beginner Species to Consider

Beginners with limited time for a pet bird should consider species like canaries or finches. If you have a bit more time and have an interest in parrots, then you could consider parakeets (budgies) or cockatiels are good options. These smaller parrots are friendly, relatively quiet, and easy to tame if acquired young.

Other parrot family members suitable for first-time bird owners include lovebirds, pionus parrots, poicephalus parrots, parrotlets, Quaker parrots, and grey-cheeked parakeets. Additionally, while often overlooked, doves and pigeons can be excellent companions as they are quiet and sociable.

Care Considerations

Several household items can be hazardous to birds, including cookware, scented candles, and deodorizers, which you might not expect. Birds have delicate respiratory systems, so they might not be suitable pets if you smoke. While some plants are perfectly safe, others can be fatal. It’s crucial to be aware of all household hazards that could harm a bird.

Some birds need stimulation to prevent undesirable behaviors like excessive noise or cage destruction. Like children, parrots benefit from toys that keep them entertained. You can provide various toys, including foot toys, hanging toys, vertical toys mounted on cage walls, and puzzles.

Consider investing time in training your pet bird. Training strengthens your bond with your parrot. Most birds enjoy the one-on-one attention of training sessions, which also bring praise, attention, and favorite treats. Additionally, teaching simple commands can make handling your parrot easier.

To keep your bird healthy, wash your hands each time after handling it. Birds can carry germs that may make people sick. While bird-borne illnesses are rare in the U.S., it’s important to be vigilant about handwashing. Psittacosis, or “parrot fever,” is a potentially serious disease that can be transmitted from birds to humans. Despite the low risk, it’s best to be aware.